City Commission - Regular Meeting

So, you you you Thank you. you you Thank you. you

Good evening. Meeting date, Monday, June 1st, 2026, at 6 p.m., Commission Chambers, 500 Southwest, 109th Avenue. Roll call, Madam Clerk. Please stand for the invocation. Would anybody like to give the invocation? All right. In Jesus' name, I pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for granting us the gift of life, the gift of friendship, the gift of service, the gift of family. Thank you. for bestowing this honorable privilege that we have to serve our residents, serve our country in this capacity, and serve in your name. Please continue to bless all of our public servants in the city of Sweetwater, our police officers, our firefighters, and the greatest military in the world. Please give us the wisdom needed to make the necessary decisions for the betterment of our city. In Jesus' name, I will always pray, amen. Pledge of allegiance. of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Welcome, everyone. Item number four, special presentation. Do we have any? No? Any special presentation, Mr. Mayor? Anybody? Any special presentation? Yes. Mr. Mayor, you're on the floor.

It's up to you.

Special presentation. Then after that, it's presentation of Employee of the Month and Office of the Month. All right, so no special presentation. Presentation of Employee of the Month Award. Mr. Mayor? Yes, sir.

I would like to make sure that there was two employees that actually did an incredible job in financing. And I'm going to start a new trend. And from each department, just like the police does, even though they're my employee, I'm going to ask the director of the department to also give their viewpoint. of the particular department, whichever the employee of the month is. So Scott, do you want to come up to the mic a second? And these two employees that are employees of the month, the mic, the mic. Well, actually, come over here, Scott. I forgot we went into the new century with more sophisticated equipment. So with this, why are these two employees So important, and why did they do it?

Well, they handled two very difficult situations for our employees. One of our employees was a police officer who had the wrong social security number for two years. And so the IRS was trying to tell us how much it was going to cost to fix, or the Pay Comp was telling us how much this would cost to fix this. And our employee said, no, I think we can go to the IRS and do this ourselves. We can do it online. and not have to spend the $4,000-plus that we were charged to file the updated W-2s quarterly for this employee. So that was one. And then we had the IRS tell us that somebody three or four years ago filed the form that tells how city employees are getting health insurance, that they're eligible for it, whether they turned it down, whether they're getting it. So you comply with the Obamacare law that says we have to offer employees health insurance. Well, they made a mistake and they had a bunch of people that they said we didn't offer health insurance or they didn't have it. And they wanted to fine us $30,000. So I guess that didn't happen. So that didn't happen. No, we worked with the IRS and filled out the form correctly, and the IRS has been very nice. They said, if you don't fill out the form correctly, we'll let you know, and you can fill it out again, and we can make mistakes and fix it, but you don't have to pay the $30,000 fine for filling it out incorrectly the first time. So these two employees saved the city $30,000-plus, and I thought that would be recognized. Do you want to mention the two employees? Iraida Alonso, our payroll specialist.

And he keeps me in line and she keeps getting her front center, man. Well, all right. At this point, we want to make sure that you received this because Being employee of the month sometimes in the past, and I'm kind of guilty on this, but we need to take it to a different level because it's very significant. And I have all the directors knowing that when they have somebody that does something special above and beyond, it's the right to make sure that we recognize and thank them. And I also want to raise a little bit more economy. We don't buy milk for the same price we used to buy and stuff. So one of the things I've asked is to take it from the $50 that we do for employee of the month to $100 to employee of the month. So in this case, we have two employees. Thank you for what you've done for the city of Sweetwater. And to us, it's very important to say thank you in this way. Lift it up.

Get in here, big guy.

Yeah, there you go.

One, two, three. One more. Perfect. That's me.

You got me skinnier and better looking.

Thank you.

Chief.

This case, Lieutenant. Yes, sir. Thank you. Good evening. Mayor, commissioners, distinguished guests. My name is Umberto Herrera, 500 Southwest 107 Avenue. I am the police lieutenant for the administrative division and I have the honor to present the officer of the month, Sergeant Alan St. Germain. Dedication, professionalism, and exceptional work ethic have made an immediate impact within the administrative division since assuming his assignment as support services sergeant on March 16, 2026. With enthusiasm and positive attitude, Sergeant St. Germain embraced the responsibilities of supervising the fleet management, property room, quartermaster, and records unit. His eagerness to learn combined with his ability to quickly adapt to operational demands of these critical functions has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to organizational excellence. Sergeant St. Germain consistently displays a high level of professionalism in all aspects of his duties. His proactive approach, attention to detail, and willingness, excuse me, willingness to take initiative have significantly contributed to the efficiency and effectiveness of the administrative division. Sergeant St. Germain has successfully led a comprehensive wall to wall inventory of all property and evidence maintained within the department's property room, ensuring accountability organizations and compliance with established procedures. In addition, he conducted a complete inventory of all department capital property, further enhancing the division's operational efficiency and accountability, demonstrating an approach. Sergeant St. Germain independently coordinated and attended a meeting with the city attorney to strengthen his understanding of legal requirements, policies, regulations, governing the purging and disposition of property and evidence. Furthermore, Sergeant St. Germain took the initiative to secure a Miami-Dade GSA emergency fuel card for departmental use. He established a sign-in log and distributed a departmental-wide email explaining procedures and authorities authorized circumstances for the use of the emergency fuel card, specifically in situations involving malfunctioning fuel transponders on police vehicles. For his outstanding performance, it is our honor to present Sergeant Alan B. St. Germain and recognize him as Officer of the Month.

Thank you, sir.

How are you? Hello there. All right. Squeeze in. Thank you for that recognition. That was past due 35 years.

All right, very well deserved awards in our finance department. I knew those ladies do a phenomenal job. Scott, thank you for for being the central nervous system of the city. Appreciate you. Chief, special thanks to you. I'll say Jermaine's been been with the city for 31 years. In my opinion, one of the greatest cops in the history of the city. Second to keep our who taught us both. I love you very much. Thank you, Chief, for recognizing those who do the job, who have been here, and are willing to work under your tutelage. So thank you. Report item seven, reports of officers, boards, and committees. None? Additions and deletions to the agenda. Say again? Let's see. Got it. Petitions, communications, and remunerations. Anybody want to speak? Item 10, organization of the city commission code requirement A, election of commission president. Point of order, Mr. Attorney, can you please read our rules for the dice?

Certainly. So this is under Section 2-4-5 of the City Code of Ordinances. So the chair, that would be you, opens the floor for nominations. Each commissioner has the privilege of nominating one candidate for consideration. Subject to that one candidate rule, each commissioner may nominate themselves. You just can't nominate more than one person. After ascertaining that there are no further nominations, the chair shall close the floor to further nominations and call the vote. The clerk shall then poll each commissioner who shall respond by stating the name of their preferred candidate. Should any candidate receive a simple majority of commissioners present, the chair shall announce that winning candidate. In the event that no candidate obtains a simple majority, then a runoff shall be held among the top two vote-getters following the above procedure. The chair shall then announce the name of the winning candidate who shall immediately assume the position and open nominations and voting for the vice president consistent with the same terms. So there's no motion for somebody. There's no second of any motion. You just state the name of your preferred candidate. State the name of the preferred candidate. and then once that is accomplished and there's no further candidates, you vote by naming, by stating the name of the candidate that you are voting for.

Thank you, Mr. Attorney. Yes, sir. Starting with Commissioner Hidalgo, do you have a nomination?

Michael Villanueva.

Commissioner Isidro Ruiz. I also believe you've done an outstanding job, so Marcos Villanueva. Thank you.

Commissioner Saldias.

I vote for Jose Mati.

I don't have a different nomination. He doesn't have to nominate anybody.

He doesn't have to nominate anybody. It's a privilege to nominate but not a requirement. I understand.

I'm like them. There's two names already. I'm good. I understand. We're going to go ahead. Madam Clerk, call the roll. We have two nominees. We have Commissioner Marcos Villanueva and Commissioner Jose Marti. Call the roll, please.

Commissioner Daniel. Marcos Villanueva. Commissioner Ruiz.

Commissioner Villanueva.

Commissioner Diaz.

Jose Marti.

Commissioner Martin.

I vote for myself.

Commissioner Ray.

Villanueva.

Commissioner Ray. Commissioner .

Villanueva.

Commissioner Villanueva.

Thank you. I vote myself. Thank you to my colleagues on the commission, I appreciate it. Congratulations. Thank you for the award of confidence. Congratulations. Thank you. We already have the same rules for Vice President. We're gonna go in the same order. Commissioner Hidanya Yano, do we have a nomination for Vice President?

Jose Mati.

Commissioner Isidro Ruiz, do you have a nomination for Vice President?

Commissioner .

Commissioner Saldias, do you have a nomination for Vice President?

I always like to get a chance to somebody else. Nothing against you two guys. I would like to vote for Ian Vallecio.

Commissioner Reynaldo Ray, do you have a nomination? Name's already on the table. I understand. Commissioner Ian Vallecio, do you have a nomination? No. Commissioner Jose Mati, do you have a nomination? No. I understand. Madam Clerk, we have two names, Commissioner Jose Mati and Commissioner Ian Vallecio. Can you please call the roll from left to right?

Okay. Commissioner Vallecillo?

I'm going to vote for Marti.

Thank you, Saul, for nominating me. I appreciate it. Commissioner Ray? Marti as well.

Commissioner Marti?

I guess I'll vote for myself.

Commissioner Saul Diaz?

Yeah, I guess Marti.

Commissioner Ruiz? Commissioner Marti. Commissioner Yaño?

Jose Marti.

uh commissioner vice you congratulations the organization stays as same um point of order mr attorney i think item c is a moot point being that the signatures are in fact the same do we need to update yearly anyway you have to update yearly yes sir not for necessarily for us but for the bank So I will go ahead and read it for the record anyway. Item C, a resolution of the city commission of the city of Sweetwater authorizing new signatures on all bank accounts of the city providing for transmittal and providing for an effective date code requirement. Do you have those documents or would you like to handle it after the meeting? Madam Clerk.

I have the agenda.

They're on the agenda.

It's on the agenda. It's on the agenda. I have the original resolution.

No, what I'm saying is, do you have those documents? Do you want us to execute now or after the meeting?

No, the finance department will have to handle that.

Great, so we'll do it after the meeting. Yes. Yeah, yeah. Great. Item 11, consent agenda. Do I have a motion?

Motion.

Motion by Commissioner Idanianu, second by Commissioner Jose Mati. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Seeing none opposed, item unanimously passes. Staff item 12, nomination, consideration, and appointment of members of the Planning and Zoning Board code requirement. Commissioner Idania Yano, do you have a different appointee? No, same. Same. Who is your appointee, by the way?

Isolina Marroni.

Got it. Commissioner Isidro Ruiz? No, we need it. Did you have the same person? Yeah, the same person. Who is it?

Commissioner...

Yeah, I'm gonna keep my the same one Rolando, I don't remember his last name right now. Rolando Mendez?

No, no, I don't think it's Mendez, no.

It's Carmen.

Yes, you have Martin.

Oh, Martin. Rolando Martin. Rolando Martin.

Yeah. Okay, Commissioner, do I see you? Not yet. I understand. Commissioner, right all the way? and your Richmond, Vice President, Mr. Mendez. And I will keep my same nominee, Omar. All right. Item 13 reports. Hold on a second. Stand by. Stand by. Yeah, you have the additions. All right. Staff item 11B, an ordinance of the city of Sweetwater, Florida, establishing duty for police officers to provide name and badge number upon request, providing for exceptions, providing for severability, providing for codification, providing for an effective date. First reading, Commissioner Villanueva. This is a public hearing on this item. Anybody wishing to speak on this item, please come forward now. Seeing nobody come forward on this item, the public meeting is now closed. Okay, the purpose of this item, I just want to give my colleagues in the commission and those members in the audience and those watching the purpose of this piece of legislation. We've all seen these social media so-called auditors who are approaching law enforcement. They'll use vulgarity, they'll take out their phones, and in the name of First Amendment auditors, They'll go ahead and offend a police officer, and then they'll say, by the way, jerk, what's your name and badge number? And now the officer, per policy, has to give his or her badge number per departmental policy. Now, if they're on a call for service, transparency tells us no matter what, whoever it is, whenever it is, whether they're rude or not, an officer has to give their name and badge number, and I agree with that. But when an officer is not on a call for service, and this is the legislative intent, when an officer is not on a call for service, when an officer is drinking coffee at our local Ventanita, at La Quinita Habanera, when an officer is having a meal, maybe the officer's wife joined him for lunch or dinner, or the officer's husband or boyfriend joined him or her for lunch or dinner, and now you have a social media account First Amendment auditor who approaches that officer and says, hey, jerk, I pay your salary, name and badge number. So this policy, this ordinance, basically states that if an officer is not on a call for service, the officer will activate their body camera and say, I'm not on a call for service per Department of Policies. I do not have to give my name and badge number. Please leave me alone. It's giving that officer, our members, showing them support. And by the way, this is the first piece of legislation in the history of the United States that's going to happen here in the city of Sweetwater. And we're going to show our police officers that we back them. We've come a long way from what we used to be. And we want to certainly maintain transparency. And the fact that the officer has to adhere to the policy and go ahead and activate it. their body camera and document that incident. But the officer does not have to give the name and badge number so long as they are not on a call for service. So that is the legislative intent. I hope that I have unanimous consent on this item. But before we vote, I'd like to open up for discussions. With that, I yield the floor for now.

Through you, Chairman. Commissioner Saldias. I mean, I would support this 100%, but my question to the city attorney is, how this is going to play with the rights of, what do you call that? Administrators. Are we violating any laws here with this?

No. There is a requirement under Florida law that an officer provide identification when actually enforcing an arrest or responding to a call or so forth if ever challenged or requested. There is no requirement that you walk up to a police officer, ask them their name and badge number at that point when there's no other rationale around, and have the police officer, require that the police officer respond and provide that information.

Now, what's the difference between this one and Tallahassee? I know they came out with a law. there's any difference between this one and the one that they got in Tallahassee. I think they passed a Tallahassee ordinance on this.

I can have a look at that. I'm not familiar with that ordinance or that statute off the top of my head.

Mr. President, did you know? Okay.

Yeah. I can have a look at it right now.

Yes, please.

So if you're referring to what's called the HALO law, where officers now, while in the performance of their duties, these social justice auditors have to stay a certain feet distance away from the officers while performing their duties that we're referring to? Yes. So that HALO law, as far as my interpretation of the law, is just giving the officers protection while performing their duties. This law, in particular... To answer your question, it does not violate FOIA, which is the Freedom of Information Act. It does not violate any public records request. It is simply, if an officer is not on a call for service, they do not have to give their name and badge number. They do, in fact, have to activate their body camera. So we're going to be able to document that. If an officer refused to give their name and badge number, and they do not activate their body camera, now they're in violation of policy. And that's up to the chief of police and his command staff to go ahead and deal with that, how they feel fit. Does that answer your question?

Yes, sir. Mr. President, if I may, I'm actually familiar with the statute. I've read the statute. I just wasn't sure exactly what you were referring to at that point. The President is completely correct. What that does is requires, I believe, a 25-foot perimeter. It's a 20 or 25-foot perimeter to be set around the scene itself, where if an officer instructs a bystander, you need to get over there okay and you know let's say this is a 25 foot mark do not cross that mark that uh bystander has to abide by that requirement outside that perimeter the bystander can stand there and videotape the whole thing do whatever he wants but the um i don't think that that law actually applies in this particular issue.

Okay. I just wanted to get some clear on that.

But whatever it does, even if it did, the issue, this statute, excuse me, this ordinance, the city can pass similar ordinances similar to state statutes. It just can't, it can set a higher bar. It just can't set a lower bar.

Okay. Got you. Thank you. All right.

Any other commissioners wishing to dialogue on this item?

Through the chair. Mr. Vice President. Can you clarify if they're in uniform or out of uniform? Like how that's going to relate?

So when an officer is not in uniform working in an undercover capacity, per our policy, the officer does not have to give the name and badge number, only because of the undercover capacity. When an officer is in full uniform or... has displayed law enforcement credentials, badge, exposed firearm, that's a different story. If the officer is on a call for service, and they're on a crime scene, they have to go ahead and give their name and badge number, unless otherwise by the chief police or his designee. That's how the policy's actually written, per our Department of Policy and the Commissioner of Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, CFA.

All right. There was a lot there. So just while they're in uniform, they have to give their name and badge number.

If they're on a call for service, yes. If they're drinking coffee, if they're having a meal, if they're not on a signal, if they're simply at the park talking to a resident, right, and there's not a scene, and somebody comes up and goes, hey, officer, name and badge number. The officer can. just simply say VNOA 0058.

But aren't they on, and maybe I'm getting in the weeds, I'm just gonna say, let's say from eight to five, they're on duty. Yes, sir. And you're in uniform. Yes, sir. Whether you're on a signal or not, you're on duty, you're working. Correct. Does that apply there? Do they have to give their name and badge number during their work hours?

So the scenarios that I gave you are very specific. If an officer is having a meal, they're having a break during work hours, and they're sitting at a table, and somebody approaches them and says, hey, dirtbag, scumbag, hey, fat ass, and they start offending them, name and badge number, the officer does not have to give the name and badge number. The officer will go ahead and activate their body camera and say, per departmental policy, I'm not on a call for service. I do not have to give you my name and badge number. You can go to the station and file a complaint. Please leave me alone. If they are on a call for service, then they have to give their name and badge number. I hope that clarifies it. It does. Has that policy been established?

no this is a brand new policy okay I'm in support of this I just think that while you're on duty you're on duty and I agree with you that the craziness of these auditors is out of control and and these guys have a tough enough job as it is but you know I'm good I'm good with it just need to clean up the pond there needs to be a policy like you said if someone comes up and starts harassing you activate your camera so that that does happen

Yeah. So just to clarify, the way that this ordinance is being written, understanding we can go ahead and write ordinance, and then we can recommend, based on the ordinance, if the ordinance specifies policy, we can go ahead and do that. Our chief of police has been in law enforcement for 36 years and has worked in internal affairs and public corruption and homicide investigative for many many years i want my legislative attendance to go ahead and give the officer the discretion if we have a gentleman or a person who simply says hey you know what i don't like how you spoke to me what's your name badge number that's a different story that's somebody filing a complaint but if it's if while you're having a meal or you're on a coffee break if the officer wants to go ahead and say you know what zero zero five eight vienna and they continue to harass. Well, that's a different story. The officer willingly give them their badge over. This is just a way for us to support our law enforcement and not violate the law.

Obviously, Mr President, Mr Mayor, thank you. I'm 1000% in accordance with you because that, uh, as things change in the world and let's just say the way our officers are treated, we need to do everything we can to support them to make sure that no conflict happens. In that, I just want to make sure that I've always been under the understanding when a citizen's approach is because of any reason, says, I need to know your badge and your name, please, or your name and your badge number, whichever way. I thought it was a requirement of the FDLE that they have to state their name and their badge number if they're in uniform. So I would like to understand that because what I do not want is that our officers don't do it based on a city or municipal ordinance and then it does conflict with some other. I'm sure that the commission president did research. Because what I do not want is one of my officers saying no and then it goes against us and it creates a problem. So could you clear this up for me? Because I totally agree the intent and I'm extremely supportive of this. I just do not want this to conflict in the future. So could you clear that up?

I will be happy to if you would like. I can provide a written opinion tomorrow morning. um off the top of my not off the top of my head i have reviewed this i just don't have the research in front of me but i don't believe there's a specific florida statute of florida regulation that requires police officers to identify themselves on demand absent and national performance of duty then i'll stand corrected all i did not want was because up to now they've had to give their badge number

and state their name and that was it and they walk away or whatever it was that was all they had to do so i just wanted to make sure because commission president is 100 correct nobody needs to be harassed that way turn on the camera the camera should be on but still it is not the responsibility of them to try to fit, especially when they're being vulgarly addressed. I just don't want to, I do not want one of our officers standing out and that being a title of a national video or whatever.

Right. When I have literally been doing some quick research on here, there is a federal obligation for federal officers, but there does not appear at this page. I will continue looking at this throughout the rest of the meeting, but I don't believe that's the case. I looked at it before when I wrote the matter for Commissioner Villanueva, and I concluded that there's no specific requirement in Florida, but I will go ahead and nail that down in a few minutes while we're doing the meeting. All right.

We're good. so um so i i did my research i checked the florida statute and aside from that i checked uh the cfa manual so this is the 2025 cfa manual and you can see how thick this thing is this manual is something that our agency has attained our cfa accreditation and in this manual there are mandates federal and state mandates we have to go ahead and meet these mandates and provide proof I've gone through the entire CFA manual I've gone through store Florida statute and what I've come to realize is the name and badge number is what has been done twofold first it is what we learned on TV Name and badge number, right? In most cases, it is best practice to go ahead and give your name and badge number. Not a problem. It is a way for the public to go ahead and file a complaint on an officer. And by the way, I am for complaints. I believe that we are public servants and someone in the public should be able to file their grievances in a respectful manner. And there's a process for that. This is not a way for our officers to go ahead and circumvent somebody filing a complaint on them. As a matter of fact, our uniforms require that the name be visible. So every single one of our police officers has an embroidered name.

And the badge has his number.

Sure. They're also being videotaped. So that person is going to go ahead and be able to document who the officer is, not to mention we don't have 7,000 police officers in the city of Sweetwater. We know these officers on a first-name basis. So you and I have spoken about this, Mr. Mayor, and you were gracious enough to... Allow me to speak to the chief police and the command staff. You have shown support on the side of my know that you support the side of my know that you are simply just playing devil's advocate and making sure that we are crossing our T's and dogging our I's. I just want everybody to understand the legislative intent behind this. I think this is good for our police officers. I'm sure it should pass in first reading. At least I hope it does. And then we'll be able to dialogue with the chief police between first reading and second reading and then from there we'll be able to go ahead and draft policy and if something needs to be changed uh within that because of circumstances that we can come back to the drawing board we just want to go ahead and support our law enforcement if i may just quickly mr attorney and doing the research right now a florida case law shows that officer identification becomes legally significant when a person's reasonable belief

about whether someone is actually a police officer affects criminal liability. So it has to be that nexus. It has to be a belief and then liability. Is this a traffic ticket? Am I being detained for a particular reason? Or is this person just pretending to be a cop, for example? But just off the top of a person's head, there appears to be no requirement for that. I'll continue doing some more research, but there does not appear to be a requirement for that.

Okay. It's visible like the, may I?

Of course, Mr. Mayor.

Thank you. It's visible, the name and the badge number.

And the uniform of the police car.

And the uniform and the police car and everything else. But the intent, unfortunately in today's world, is sometimes not the best with some of the people that act in this theater. So it's important just to make sure. And and just run the scenarios because if not every city and if not we'll be the first and i'll be very proud to support this moving forward i just want to make sure we cross the t's and dot the i's yes sir okay any other commissioners wishing to dialogue on this item do we have a motion on the side motion by commissioner maddie second by commissioner juiz roll call madam clerk commissioner yes

Commissioner Ruiz?

Yes.

Commissioner Diaz? Yes. Commissioner Martín? Yes. Commissioner Ray? Yes. Commissioner Vallecillo? Yes. President Villanueva? Yes. He passes on first reading.

Item unanimously passes. Thank you to my colleagues for showing our police officers that we have their best interests at heart. Now, to our police officers watching, we're going to back you. Make sure you do the job honorably. Make sure you represent us because you are the ambassadors of this city. So understand, we're backing you guys up. Just make sure you do the right thing. So thank you. Thank you, my colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Item C, a resolution of the city of Sweetwater to utilize sections of the state of Florida right-of-way procedures manual as non-binding guidance, policies, and discretionary for relocation assistance, payment of moving and related expenses, and replacement housing payments. to those from whom private property has been acquired by the city through voluntary and involuntary means, authorizing the mayor and all others authorized to act on his behalf to take all actions and ensure fairness and equity to the greatest extent possible, to those from whom the city acquires private property and providing for an effective date, Mayor Ducey of the Fork.

Thank you Mr. President and FDOT policy and we're just adopting it to make sure we have that within our arsenal of resolutions and ordinances that we have to make sure in case we do have a takeover of any property or in case of any negotiation in the future we have exactly what needs to be put within our system and that's why what you see before you is being placed in whether it's a street, whether it's a takeover of any type of property, we need to have this put in place so we could do things binding and legally moving forward.

Mr. Mayor, this is referring to eminent domain, correct?

An eminent domain and any other type of situation we could deal with.

Or the other variations of it. Yes, exactly. So what does this language do exactly?

it gives a procedural event and that there is a protection of the resident. And this is a way the state of Florida has put it together when they do such, uh, things like this. But Scott, do you want to add to this even further? Simply all we're doing is putting the language in. So in the future, if we do need to do something along those lines, we will do it properly and not have an issue moving forward.

Yeah. We're Scott Mendelsburg finance director, city of Sweetwater. We're adopting the state FDOT policy, which is a 1,200-page document that gives the city all the flexibility it needs if we do have the opportunity to acquire property to do everything we need to to make sure the residents are protected. And these policies give you all that flexibility to do that.

Yeah. And then my other question, Mr. Mayor, you have this as a resolution. Why not an ordinance to strengthening it?

Well, it's a resolution just to adopt the policies before we actually did do any acquisition of anything. We have to come to the board and explain what we're doing, but this doesn't have any, um, binding things that we have to do. This is what we can do and what the policy will allow us to do. It just gives us flexibility, but we don't have to do an ordinance.

I've learned, um, and I think my colleagues know exactly where I'm going with this. Under the previous administration, we would go ahead and pass a resolution and The previous mayor would simply go, no. And there was no teeth behind it. It seems like a great item. I'm just looking to strengthen your intent. But if you don't feel necessary to go ordinance, that's fine. I'm going to vote yes on this.

Yeah, this is a procedural event. It's F dot law. Anyways, all we're doing is basically putting in our arsenal to to be able to have any case it comes up, and it might or might not, but the day it does, at least we have it in our books. Whether it's a resolution, an ordinance just tells us you have to go through this. And we want that flexibility and have the ability to do and have it in case we need to use it.

Any other commissioners wishing to dialogue on this item? No. I move. I second. Motion by Commissioner Yadani-Yanier, second by Commissioner Yacir Ruiz. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Item passes unanimously. Item D, a resolution of the City Commission of the City of Sweetwater authorizing purchase from Motor Oil Solutions, Inc., of ALTA video management system and a vigilant ALTA to enable the city police department to record, upload, and analyze the camera feeds for future criminal investigations, providing for expenditure of funds, providing for authority, and providing for an effective date. Mayor Diaz.

Thank you, Mr. President. Again, this is a recording device that works within the system that we have in the police department. The deputy chief is here. Basically, by having this particular type of equipment, we could actually tap into the cameras that are available, FDOT, FDLE, and other cameras available within around our area that we could use and then and actually it will translate whatever is being done and put into the system, which then as we develop and grow, we could actually use this system to do the follow me on the vehicles, on the things that we need to protect and help our officers apprehend any of the subjects in a particular call. So this is why we're going out for this equipment.

I'm going to let Commissioner Saldias ask the question he always asks. Commissioner Saldias, you're on the floor.

Yes. Can I get a... You know what I'm going to ask.

Good evening. Noel Gill, Deputy Chief of Police, City of Streetwater Police Department, 500 Southwest, 109th Avenue.

Yeah, well, my question is going to be where the money's coming from, number one. Second, this... Is this a... Well, go ahead. Where the money's going to come from.

So, let me start off by saying why we're doing this right now. Okay. So this, this in essence is a server, uh, that, uh, that we need in order to be able to record, uh, cameras that exist right now through other government entities, such as the Miami Dade traffic maintenance department, uh, and the Florida department of transportation. They have a plethora of cameras all around different cities and, uh, and, and, and counties in the case of FDOT that surround our cities, but all those cameras are live streaming cameras, right? So you see them in the morning, the traffic that is on the Turnpike or on the Dolphin Expressway, you see those, but they're not recorded, right? So this would enable us to capture those images and record them, okay? The reason that we're doing this now is that these that due to the fact of this AI push that we are having, the data centers that are being built all over the country and the AI data centers, they are basically eating up all of the chips that are out there and all of these servers are actually going to double in price, right? So doing it now basically safeguards this price of $69,000 as opposed to probably in July it could go up excess of $100,000. So that's number one. One of the places that we're looking to potentially get this if we get it with enough time is we have applied for a grant, for a federal grant that would enable us to pay for this. Short of that, I would pay for it out of forfeiture funding.

Okay, now is there going to be a contract with this? Yes.

So there's going to be a contract. It will be a five-year contract that we're paying upfront, part of the reason for the savings. So that way we would basically enable this feature within our system for the next five years paid for.

And the money that you're trying to get on the grant is going to be a full amount?

So this would be a full amount for this particular device. And some other add-ons that we've requested.

So you buy this device and we keep them?

Yeah, so this is actually an on-prem, on-premises server that would be here. And we've already spoken to Miami-Dade Traffic Maintenance. And just to give you an idea, Miami-Dade Traffic Maintenance has installed a bunch of cameras that they're smart cameras in order to do the traffic so that the lights change on time. What this enables us to do is, again, record from what they're looking at and basically allow us to bring that technology to us.

So you're going to be looking at this camera live 24-7?

So we will be recording these live cameras that right now for Miami-Dade Traffic Maintenance or Florida Department of Transportation, it is solely a live camera, right? There is no recording function at either of these two entities.

Does any other municipality is doing this or we are the only one?

Yes, there's a couple of municipalities that already are doing this with both FDOT and Miami-Dade Traffic Maintenance.

Thank you.

Let me add to that.

Mr. Mayor, you have the floor.

Thank you. And Deputy was very correct in the way he put it, but I'm going to make it a little straighter. We will be taking this out of Forfisher at this time so we could get ahead of this and we could get the bargaining situation that we have in the future. When we do enhance and we continue to grow, then we have two major grants that I'll discuss a little later that we've already had. We're just waiting for the federal government to finalize the approval. But in that case, then we'll look at it, because we're looking at a total camera system, which I came before the commission before, and express what we're doing. We want to make sure that our areas of sensitivity that surround the commercial and certain other areas that we discussed in person are protected. And that we have an all the time visualization of whatever possibility of a crime could take place. And I know the president of the commission understands exactly where I'm going to. That we have the ability to act fast and productive in following a particular subject in the midst of all this because it will be done in live situation. So it's not just the recording, it is also the interpolation of this server that goes ahead and works with the program that we have in place or will have in place to make sure that we are the top of the spectrum when it comes to having the equipment that's the latest and best, which is something that we stated that we were going to do and we're doing it but this will work together with all the future but like the deputy chief said let's take advantage as anybody knows here that deals with it right now with any type of chips or anything they're going out of proportion and cost so let's get ahead of it we'll use forfeiture we'll get it secured and in the future we'll adopt as needed so i wanted to be real clear on that okay i have a commission received louise and i have commissioner

Yes. Okay.

Commissioner Alderay on the floor. Help me understand this real quickly. It says out video license five years quantity 50. Right. So is it? So the quantity of 50 are the cameras, right?

So every camera

We need to pay the license, which I believe is somewhere around $799 for the five years. So we need to pay for the license.

Another thing, I don't remember right now who I spoke to, but it was something similar to this, but with local businesses. that they get access to their cameras with the local businesses as well.

So that we already have and we are about to launch. That is through Motorola Command Central Aware where we will bring it up through our website where they can sign a memorandum of understanding and that would enable them to give us access to their cameras when needed. And there's different ways of doing this to include if they're operating older cameras We we would either give them an appliance right a like a little love a small little computer that would enable them to to give us the information or If it's a brand if it's a newer camera that has an IP address and we would just go directly into their IP address and

Okay. Yeah, that's actually something that I had heard before.

And also, we already have this kind of like, we just have not launched it out there to the public.

Okay.

Yes.

Any other commissioners wishing to dialogue on this item before? Yes. Chair, please. Mr. Vice President.

Chief, can you tell us how this benefits us directly?

Well, it benefits us directly because right now, so so it benefits us in in a myriad of ways right one is we are getting cameras that were paid by someone else and installed by someone else and maintained right at these at these intersections which would enable us to then with some of this you know potential federal funding to look at other intersections that have no cameras at all uh so that's one way that it's that it's going to benefit us the other way is There is no recording, right? So Miami-Dade Traffic Maintenance North, Florida Department of Transportation have recordings. Part of it because what they need it for is real time. The other part is so that they don't have to employ a bunch of people to then do public records because everybody would want to see, you know, who went through the turnpike, you know, any company, any private citizen who went through the turnpike at this particular time. So this enables us to then record all those cameras that are either within the city or just around the city. And in cases of any investigation or live law enforcement activity, that we can then view this and go back in time to see what we need to see and prove potentially in court.

So so you're not gonna have anybody like assigned to monitor cameras or is it right now? We do not have.

Yes, right right now. We do not have that. But a lot of these cameras are very helpful to the investigators as they investigate their cases.

OK, I appreciate it. Thank you.

Yes. Chief, I wholeheartedly approve this. I see where Chief Diaz and yourself and Chief Fernandez, I've coined you guys the Three Wise Men, are taking this agency. I'm a little jealous because we didn't have this kind of tech, this kind of organization, this kind of morale when I was in uniform. I know that you guys are trying to strive get a real-time crime center and that's very bold but as time passes you guys continue to move uh towards that uh the mayor brought in three individuals that in my opinion can be chiefs of police in any municipality in miami-dade county so kudos to you mr mayor i don't know how you managed to get those three studs it's like uh it's like lebron and and when he came to the heat in 2006 but hopefully we were able to maintain you guys so i wholeheartedly approve this item um but i'm going to give my colleagues in the commission opportunity to move it so do i have a motion on this item motion by commissioner raul de rey second by all in favor say aye aye any opposed thank you item passes unanimously thank you deputy chief thank you mr mayor Item E, a resolution of the City Commission of the City of Sweetwater authorizing the mayor to purchase a lighting alert system for Ronzelli and Carlo Park, providing for authority, providing for severability, providing for an effective date. Mayor Diaz, but before you say anything, move.

Second. We need that.

We're going to hold for Commissioner Reynaldo Ray. You have the floor. Well, before you hold, Mr. Mayor, will you give the floor to Commissioner Ray Alderweireld before you speak? Absolutely. Commissioner Ray Alderweireld, you have the floor.

All right, so I know we have one in place right now in Ronzelli.

Yes, we do.

So we're just adding on in Carlo Park?

Actually, we checked our park director along with our deputy park director. We were under the assumption that we had ongoing technology there. Yes, we do have it in Rosalie Park. It's a simple technology, but it works. Unfortunately, that opened the door to say, what's up with Carlo Park or Domino Park? And when I asked that question, we didn't have one. So the story is that they've been doing a lot of research and trying to see about a price because they are not cheap. And not only are they not cheap, they have a tail to it every month. I mean, every year you have to pay an X amount to upkeep or update or whatever way you want to call it. And now add an app to it. And so the residents could tie in with an app and everything else that in today's world, it's important. But I was trying to make sure that the funding will be done in a way that we don't have to fork out Um, a lot of money. And so therefore we negotiated out that we talked to the number one company that, yeah, that came back and actually they're providing an updated two versions. for not only Ronzelli Park but for Carlo Park. I understood and I thought that Tweedwater Elementary had one of these since the kids go and play on the outside and they should have an alarm system like I believe every school in Dade County does. Unfortunately, they did not have one. so now we have we're going to be putting in these cameras the one in um carlo park will actually sound that could be heard in domino park and The one in the linear part, Beasley Park, should be heard from Roselli, but we'll look into that in the future and to see how we do that. Mostly when it's active games being played, whether it's baseball, soccer, or the kids playing out there, or an event that we may have, we need to have the latest technology. The lightning is not something we want to deal with on a negative.

Real quick, another thing, because about two nights ago happened, and it reminded me, and I'm going to steal this question from Saul Diaz, because I was out at night, it was like, maybe one in the morning and it was a lightning and it was sounding at that time. And I've had complaints. I know Saul's had complaints before and he's brought it up. Is there any way that it could be shut off or is it mandatory that it has to be sounding at any time of the night?

Commissioner, that's a very good question. That is something I'll look into, but I believe that for the safety of any individual that might be strolling late, which, by the way, our parks are closed after a certain time, and they should not be within the park, but they might be sitting outside and so on, and if lightning does occur, I don't know if we could shut it off, but if it can, when the park closes, Maybe we'll look into it and figure out if we could turn it off at that time. So I will do that and check because, yeah, you're right. That is a loud siren, and it's done on purpose so people could hear it, and then you hear the two beeps or three beeps after that for clear. And then supposedly it measures the electrons and electrons in the atmosphere and then it does it every 30 minutes because it will make sure that in intervals of 30 minutes to determine

whether or not it is safe to come back but i'll check because that's a very good question i did not look into it uh for that reason but that's okay he was going to ask the question anyways so based on this is seventy thousand dollars i think i think this is great seventy thousand dollars definitely worth it um i know that you brought some ridiculous number like 12 million dollars from the county and a lot of that was park impact fees. I'm sorry, park fees. Are you gonna be using park impact fees or those park grant money?

All the grant money's been used already. The $12 million that I sent here. It was only 12 million. 12 million, that was.

It was only half of our budget, it's not a big deal.

But that's been used, and our parks are extremely improved.

So park impact?

It's going to come out of the parks money, and if I'll talk to Scott, we'll work to it. It might come out of the impact fees for parks. We'll see which is the best place to pull it out. I agree.

But I think the amount is less than...

It's 36 or 38, something like that.

It's 33,757.

Right, but negotiate it with the other part. And then we have an annual $1,500 for both systems. Which, by the way, the other one was $24,000 plus the other system on top of that, which was another $24,000. And then you had to pay $4,500 a year for both of them. So we saved it to $1,500 for both parks and we're at 30 something thousand for both systems.

I was on the wrong. Uh, commissioner saw these.

Go ahead.

You've been waiting mayor. I was, I was going to ask you the same thing that, uh, commissioner, uh, Ray was asking. Yes. Uh, can you look into it at one o'clock in the morning? It's like three beeps. It's very, very loud. Cause I, uh, I got a couple of complaints from the residents in that area. I mean, well, look, I don't want to have that wake us up.

Anybody at that time, if there's nobody for us to be in the park,

Right. Right. So if you can look into it so we can put a time on it, that will be perfect. And I will support this item 100%, sir. Thank you.

Any other commissioners wishing to dialogue on this item? Pleasure. Commissioner Isidro Ruiz.

I live a block away from that thing. I don't even feel it.

From that thing.

Sitting on my front of my backyard. Sometimes I listen to it, but it's not that bad.

Any other commissioners wishing to speak on this item?

I would like, I'm sorry, can I move this item? You can do whatever you want. All right, thank you, sir.

Commissioners, all these are the motion. We have a second? Second. Second by Commissioner Reynaldo Ray. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Item passes unanimously. Excellent. We're going to go back to Uh, reports mayor's report. Mr. Mayor, do you have a report?

Uh, and our police department, as you know, we, uh, now have a lieutenants union and it's something that, uh, it's been a long time in the coming. I'm very proud to say that we negotiated properly. And our lieutenants are now a bargaining unit. So it's very important, I think, that gives them the security to do the job and to do, I think, continue to do the very best job they can for Sweetwater. And that's important. Also, we do have a captain's position.

Or she's back there, I think, somewhere in the back.

He is the captain at least under this administration moving forward. So that is something that we'll continue to look and improve on all aspects with our police department and do the best we can. As far as something that's important to your aspect of looking forward to making things happen, Mr. President, you asked me and we spoke about it to see how we can make our city more patriotic and to bring flags. Took me a little while, but we finally got through to the Sweetwater Home Depot. and I say it that way because it's in the city of Sweetwater, and they labeled it Sweetwater Home Depot. They are giving us 300 flags and poles to be put and erected on the side, or the wall, excuse me, of a home, and we have the documentation that they would have to sign has to be an owner of a home. We're using the same list and I'll take advice from anybody here, that we'll use the same list that we used when we refund the $100 to the citizens that have the abilarm and they live in the property as stated. As you probably know, it's important that they are the owner and that they give the proper permission. It's not somebody that's just renting. The owner comes back, who put this here? Even though it's a patriot, we live in the United States. It's the best country in the world. And it's important to show our patriotism and show that Sweetwater is there as strong or stronger than any city out there. So I wanted to bring that good news, and I want to start getting that out there. I'm going to be working with our maintenance department. I'm going to be working with CODE. and making sure that we could uh get out there and knock on those doors and see how many of those we could start putting up before the fourth of july and and getting it out there it took a little while to get it approved but at least uh it's something positive and that was directly to you mr president because you came up and asked me if we could get this done i have a question mr mayor thank you for that um so two things first

The American flags and the, I don't know what you call the holders that are affixed to the houses, what do you call them?

It's a three-prong holder. Right. Which, for one flagpole.

Right. So the issue is that when they are plastic and the flag waves in the wind, they actually snap. It actually happened in my house. So I don't know how, obviously we're not trying to perfect it, we're trying to... move patriotism here in the city of Sweetwater just food for thought. So out of the monies that were allocated for that project, It sounds like you got 300 flags for free from Home Depot?

They were donated. They are partners with us. That's amazing. And this and the manager of the Sweetwater Home Depot went ahead and his patron himself, and he went ahead and in support of our community and doing what we're doing, they donated the 300 flags and flagpoles along with a swivel that goes with it and everything else. Now, that's a question. I have not been there to look at them. I'm going to try to go by tomorrow. But I don't know if it's a metal face or it's the strong plastic one. I bought mine at Home Depot. Probably it might be the plastic one. But I'll talk to them there and see if there's any improvement that can be done. Or, you know, at least it's something we're doing.

Yeah, so I know we have $300,000, and I know we allocated monies.

I don't think we got to that point, full allocation. I think that we have just money available. Did we put it separately, Scott, for a project? We have some in there? Okay.

Stand corrected. Yeah, the legislation allocated money. So now we have 300 free flags. I am certain that we're going to go ahead and surpass those 300 flags and houses.

That's where I was actually gonna go ahead and use money for.

Listen, I already know. I don't think anybody in the city is more patriotic than you. So whatever it is that you do with your staff, I know I definitely wanna be involved. I can't speak on behalf of my colleagues, but I seriously doubt any commissioner up here wouldn't wanna be involved in that. um you let me know i'll bring a drill uh we'll put in some sweat equity i i would love to fill up every house in the city of sweetwater with an american flag i understand some people aren't as patriotic but um yeah once we run out of those 300 flags we definitely want to go ahead and allocate those funds and pump out some more and and obviously thank home depot where they gave us 300 flags, we'll take that money and we'll allocate, we'll make the purchase of those 300 flags over there. So thank you for that. You're too modest because you and I actually spoke about this item. You're being humble. This item was discussed between you and I last year. Yeah, sure, I wrote it, but the idea came from both of us. And if I'm not mistaken, you co-sponsored this item. So thank you for that. Do you have anything else to report, Mr. Mayor?

That's about, let me give me a second. Thank you. It's a lot of stuff on the agenda. We have a movie night coming in on this Friday. And the movie night is going to be, if it's raining, it'll be inside. This is why we put the two projectors inside with the screens. And if it doesn't rain... It'll be outside. We're going to have three food trucks, maybe four. Three, for sure. Okay. And that's something we're looking at. We're going to put out... We're going to try to do this more often. We went through the proper system. We got the licensing that it takes to actually be able to put a Disney or any type of movie up because you have to pay for the license. And this one is going to be Coco. Oh, Coco. How could I forget? So Coco is going to be on, and I think it's going to be done right at nightfall at 7 o'clock. seven o'clock that people start showing up. And then as soon as it, it, we can, we'll do it. The good thing is that the board that all of you, um, we were looking at a smaller board, but I remember commissioner Diaz went ahead and said, no, no, no, no, no. I want the biggest one. So, and, uh, everybody followed up on that. And, uh, we got the, uh, the biggest board that we could do we stand for Marlin Stadium? Yeah, you can see it from the aircraft landing, by the way. But it is, it's good. The field is important to all of you. And you all know this because it happens in every part that has our artificial fields, we have to protect it. You cannot go out with all kinds of food, you cannot go with something that could, you know, going to the ground and penetrate and hit one of the lines. The objective of having the kind of field that we do is a professional field, and it's like any field in any of the top stadiums around. If it rains, pours for quite a while after it's done, within 15 to 20 minutes, you could go and play on this field. So we don't want nothing to hurt it. So there's going to be rules and regulations for the people if they go out and sit out there. Not the kind of chairs that will go into the ground, but the kind that have the, like, the railing type that you know won't damage but most people bring blankets and so on uh and uh we'll we'll talk to the people make sure that they understand uh what to do and um as far as the The events we're also gonna be doing in the park, they came with a calendar that I requested, that that calendar now will give us the time to get it out to the citizens, and they can now program throughout the year, you know, when we're having an event, what kind of event, what kind of sports are going to be available during this season, that season and so on. So now they could plan just like the school puts out, uh, their calendar to saying the days that they're going to be off and so on. This is the same thing that we're going to be doing. So that is, uh, being done is in the works right now. And, uh, Right off the top of this, one of you help me.

I think you have one more person who's leaving our city. I was gonna get to that. I don't wanna steal your thunder. I think you might wanna share some words there.

Yeah, I just wanna make sure because I know there's, give me one second. we have 120 children already for summer camp we exceeded the record way ahead of time we have professional teachers and people that have sensitivity training on other things that were requested from this board so we have revamped it and We will be providing food through Dade County Food System and we will be providing everything that we can to help and make it the most pleasurable experience for any kid that will participate on that. And I think that is good for the park. Now, there's a gentleman that I brought um to work here in sweetwater that is a personal friend of mine that i've worked with for many many years uh and that person unfortunately when somebody's that good people are always trying to snatch them away and This particular gentleman has done an incredible job, especially through trying times and making sure that everything works out with the media and deals very well. I don't think he's considered a PIO, as some people call him. He is a person of an incredible level of communication and knows his job probably better than anybody out there, and that's Abaro Suoleta. What? yeah he will be leaving he will be going to the mikusukis okay is there any way to block this account i've already told them come we have them i've already told them there's uh uh you know where we we're not taking this lightly but the microphone it's a big difference A big difference, and all I can say is that as my personal friend, it makes me feel better when somebody's going to even a lot more of a position. He's gonna be creating the whole communication department for the Miccosukee tribe, and that is a task. and they couldn't have gotten a better person. I hate to see him go. I already tried to say that I was going to handcuff him to the desk, but it didn't work. So with that, if you want to say a couple of words, good evening, gentlemen.

Um, Alvaro Zabaleta, 500 Southwest 109 Avenue and executive officer for the city of Sweetwater Police Department. Um, Mr Mayor, thank you very much for those kind of words. Thank you for the opportunity commission. Thank you for the opportunity. Since I got here, you guys, um, Gave me open arms, came with open arms, and welcomed me, right? And made it a nice, welcome environment. And I just want to say that I was proud to be able to serve the city of Sweetwater during its darkest hours. I came at the right time, I'm assuming, to be able to protect the brand, be able to protect the city. Because everyone knows that you guys here are doing everything in the best interest of the city and doing everything correct. even though the images in the exterior want to stay different. And it became a difficult task, but it was an honor for me to be able to accomplish it. And I think we did well throughout these difficult times with what we've dealt with during these last two years. And I just want to be able to thank, of course, my fellow coworkers, Jasmine, Julio, great job. The grant team, my other half of the team, parks, building, Everybody was great, so I appreciate that. And of course, I can't go without saying my chiefs, right? My chiefs were amazing. Sergio Diaz was amazing. The deputy chief, the assistant chief, who's threatened me.

If I was going to leave, I was like, chief, where are you at?

No, in a nice way, and it was all in good ways, and thank you very much. It's bittersweet. It's bittersweet. You're not going to miss the work, but you're going to miss the people.

And there's something else that about Oh, went ahead and brought it into the highest professional system that we could provide. And that's working with Madam clerk, as far as all the public records requests and how they're formulated, how they're done. We had also boxes and boxes and boxes of stuff that was outdated and so on. Avedo took the task on, I asked him to do so. I put him in charge of all public records with the city clerk that falls under her, but at the same time making sure that everything's done in the up and up and also in the proper way. so that's been taken care of i will uh be modifying that again and making sure that uh we don't miss a beat and that city is professional in everything we do and continue to do when it becomes the law of public records too so i want to thank you publicly for that hard work that you did too And I know God has a purpose for you. And the chairman over there and I are going to have a little discussion, but that's going to be okay. We are friends, and we'll work this out.

You always have a friend here, so I always have the same number for anybody here. Whatever you need, we're friends, we're a family. It's just an extended family now.

Any other commissioners wishing to speak? Yes, sir. Commissioner Saldias, you have the floor. Abaro, thank you very much. Thank you for everything you've done for the city. I mean, you coming to the city, you brought us. You came from a big department to a small department. Thank you very much. I appreciate what you did. All this, I think it was, what, a year or two? Two years. Thank you to take this city to the next level. Thank you.

Any other commissioners wishing to speak on this item?

No, I just want to thank you. I'm gonna miss you, but we will forgive you.

I hope in a good way.

So I'm gonna say something. I met Alvaro 29 years ago. Alvaro, you have been the face of the Miami-Dade Police Department prior to becoming a sheriff's office, where we would see you on TV in Innocent Spanish through major crimes, through crisis, through major incidents. and you were humble and gracious enough to bring those talents here to the city of Sweetwater. The mayor has really brought a stellar staff, and here's the problem. When you bring studs like that, they offer you to be the, Chief Communications Officer for the Miccosukee Tribe Indians, paying him a gazillion dollars. I will tell you that our loss is most certainly Miccosukee's gain. I appreciate your friendship. I appreciate your counsel, even though I never listened to you. when it came to speaking on the dais and using words, but I do want to wish you well wishes. I think you're an amazing individual, a great man of moral character, and I never saw you out of pocket. You were always at your best. even uh at your most difficult moments you're the face of the hpoa you're the face of the pba and the pba gala you're the face of miami-dade law enforcement i personally think you're a legend so i wish you health for you and your family and uh and i love you brother thank you sir Thank you. Mr. Mayor, are you good with that report?

We're good.

All right. Commissioner's report. Yeah. Does anybody have anything to report?

Yeah, Mayor, I was going to ask you, any news on Flagler Center, anything brief that you can give us on the negotiation with that project?

Basically, right off the top.

You don't have to be specific, Mayor.

No, not specific. We're negotiating with them. We're still waiting. They hired another attorney. to be part of their group. Now the attorneys are going to get together, I think, tomorrow.

Tomorrow morning. Tomorrow morning we'll have a meeting. 10 o'clock.

So they're going to start doing what they do best, having communications, and then we'll take it from there.

All right. Thank you, Mayor. Appreciate it.

Any other commissioners? So I'll say something to Captain Jonathan Archie. It has been 11 years since the city of Sweetwater Police Department had the official rank of captain. In 2015, we had five police captains. Those five police captains, for political reasons, decided to self-demote. So we haven't had that rank. I knew Archie when he first began in this police department. You've obviously grown, and the command staff is taking a liking to you. So it appears as though that you are one of the future of this agency. I commend you on your leadership. I know that you are open to learning. You obviously have what I call the three wise men. I commend the chief and his command staff for giving individuals the opportunity to grow You're task-oriented. Whenever you're issued a task, you always finish that task, not on time, before, and then you always come back and say, what else do you need? So continue to grow within this agency. I know you've had a few hurdles. I most certainly watched you have a few hurdles, but I'm very proud of you. So continue to represent this agency. You know how I feel about Sweetwater PD, and congratulations to you. other than that I don't have anything else only that I want to reiterate to the mayor that we definitely want to be part of of communicating with our residents on those flags I want to bang on doors I want to show our residents how patriotic we are

other than that i don't have anything anybody else have anything no no no all right city clerk's report attached city attorney's report um just uh quickly i i will be traveling on business on wednesday and thursday but i will be working so if anyone needs to contact me i will definitely be available and obviously uh by cell phone and by email thank you mr attorney police report is attached unless you have you guys have anything else

Keep doing a kick-ass job, guys. Building and zoning report. Attached. By the way, phenomenal job. In my opinion, what building and zoning and code has done in this city is the greatest in the history of the city of Sweetwater. Continue doing a kick-ass job. I'm going to start throwing eggs at the mayor's house or something. I don't like all this positivity. Code enforcement division report. Attached. Public Works, report, attached. Finance, no. He didn't say attached, he goes no. Attached, community and elderly services. Parks and Rec, attached. Unfinished business, new business. Go to the order.

Mr. Mayor, the other four. Thank you. I did forget one of the points that I wanted to, as you know, today is the start of hurricane season. Excuse me. And even though that emergency management in the city of Sweetwater, as you well know, is year-round for us. We want to make sure. I got to my two incident commanders under me, Chief Fernandez and Chief Garcia from COAT. I want to make sure that you guys understand that everything that we're doing and looking at is – everything we possibly can, and we're crossing the T's and dotting the I's. We already had two meetings, but the last meeting, we were just making sure that all the system that we put in for our generators, for making sure that our areas that we need to use to set up or do whether it's GSA or either or or both parks along with the building in our new bay and so on that we could have those working during the time of any type of storm or any type of emergency that takes place so as we look at the storms and everything I know that Commissioner Mati has asked for some information and we'll sit down with him and go through everything and I know that we value him as a firefighter and knowing how he's doing how he he's done it for years but his input also helps us tremendously as far as what we prepare for with the citizens and I know I could count which each and every one of you in case We need to move forward on any type of emergency, and that goes without saying. We had a couple of scares with possible amounts of flooding through some storms, and all of you responded with my call. So I just want you to understand that we are looking at every possibility and making sure that everything is covered. and all hands and all employees for instance are available those that can be and respond and in case of the need for our residents so we're looking at every aspect and we haven't stopped we just keep improving and you know making sure that we home in and make it better so any questions that you may have on any of this please come and see me yes i have one request mr mayor off of 103 avenue southwest first street there are two storm drains they've been cleaned

Have they?

Yes, sir.

Okay, I just wanted to make sure.

You called me and I was there within two hours and looked at it.

Oh, yeah, send me a picture, I know. I sent you a picture. So we sent the back truck over there and we cleaned them both?

Yes.

All right, great.

The maintenance director actually got them the, I think that was Sunday, and on Monday morning they were both cleaned. And the problem was that apparently, another issue, if they cannot, the people that cut grass cannot, use the drain to blow the grass and the leaves into. The police knows, code knows, maintenance knows, everybody that works with us knows if we do it, we will report it and police will respond. Because, you know, we cleaned those drains a couple of times and then they were full again. But I appreciate your call, Mr. President, because one of the businesses apparently drainage of their oil. Their grease traps. Their grease trap into that particular drain that's closest to the business. So CODE has looked into it, and let's just say that they're dealing with it. So, again, anything you need, please let us know, and we'll jump on it.

All right, thank you, Mr. Mayor. Unless anybody has anything further, motion to adjourn. All in favor say aye. Aye. Have a good night, folks.